never late

Over the past few weeks, one of the most common questions we get from people is, “do you think you’ll make it by July? Do you think you’ll have enough support to go?” I’m not entirely sure what people are trying to communicate by this question. Are they asking how big our faith is? Or if we have doubts as to whether or not we’ll have sufficient support? Or are they asking whether or not we think we can conjure up enough financial support to make it to the field in July? The answer to the first question is – it’s not how big our faith is, but how big our God is. Do we have doubts? Yes, we do. There are days that I (Rachel) am convinced that we’ll never have enough support to go to Papua New Guinea. But honestly, the closer July gets, the fewer doubts I’ve had.

As to whether or not we’ll be able to raise enough support by July, that’s the wrong question. We’re not raising support. God is. There isn’t a thing we can do about our support level. It’s not like if we have just the right amount of meetings with the right churches, and we speak eloquently and passionately, then the support will start flooding in. It’s not like we can say the right things, answer all the questions, and build relationships with people in such a way that we convince everyone to support us. It’s not us. It’s God. We travel and travel and travel, we speak in churches, Josiah preaches, we share about our ministry with anyone and everyone, we answer dozens of questions, we meet hundreds of people. But when it comes down to it, we are not the ones raising up a team of people to send us over to Papua New Guinea. Our job is to be faithful in planting seeds, watering, and exposing people to the huge need for missionaries to go to the unreached. God is the One who will work in hearts to challenge them to be a part of what He’s doing around the world.

So do we think we’ll make it in July? Yes. For the last two years, it seems that God has been directing us to leave for Papua New Guinea in July 2015, so who are we to doubt Him now? We’ve been praying for several weeks that God would bring in our financial support in such a way that only HE gets the glory. We don’t want people to be able to think or say, “oh, Josiah and Rachel were the ones who raised enough support, so now they can go.” No, the only way we can make it to Papua New Guinea in July is if God shows up and provides for us. We want people to be blown away by how God provides for us. We want HIM to get the glory for getting us to Papua New Guinea. And whatever His timing is for providing that support is totally fine with us. As someone recently encouraged us: “God is always on the move. He is seldom early, but never late.”

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2 thoughts on “never late”

AMEN! Continuing to pray for your support and your requests….what a privilege to be a part in this way. Praying for your speaking and spending time with Jeph/Jezekiel. Love you guys so much! What God did for Paul, He will do for you: “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished” II Tim 4:7

Hey there! Thanks to your Mom (Shelly) I am finally getting on your blog and am able to see how God is working in your lives. I love how Josiah is teaching you, precious Rachel! I love that you ask your husband and he is leading! I am happy for you both and am looking forward to hearing all about your relationships you are building throughout your travels. You have the Faith to follow God throughout your journey. Stay on that path and share more about the people and how you want to reach more for Christ!
I’m looking forward to reading more!